Ski plane



Nov. 23, 1937. 1 GELBMAN SKI'PLANE Filed sept. 12, 193e I6 2l H 16 INVENTOR. Loul QELBNQN .BY I

Wmv.

Patented Nov. 23, 1.937

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a ski plane, and has more par-v ticular reference to a ski plane of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,043,374 dated June 9, 1936 for a Snow plane and scooter plane.

The invention has for an object the construction of a ski plane which is characterized by a one piece body without an auxiliary steering head or a mechanism for flexing the runners, members or ski elements thereof. When thus constructed the cost of the ski plane may be materially reduced. i

A further object of the invention resides in the specific arrangement of the side supporting ski elements or members which Will permit steering of the ski plane in a manner very similar to the steering of a regular pair of skis. More specically, it is proposed to so arrange the side supporting ski elements or members that the operator of the ski plane may lean towards one side or the other to steer the ski plane-and to so arrange the supporting ski elements or members in a manner that the operator may support the ski plane against spilling during the steering operation.

More specically, the invention contemplates the provision of support ski elements or members arranged along the sides of the ski plane and resiliently supported so that they may engage the ground or be lifted therefrom, and furthermore arranged so that they may be placed flatly against the ground during the steering of the ski plane. In a specific embodiment of the invention it is proposed that each support ski element or member be pivotally supported and arranged so that it may be manually pivoted into the correct position for assisting in steering the ski plane.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. l is a plan view of a ski plane constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 311s a rear end View of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portionV of the mechanism which supports the side support ski elements or members.

The Yski plane, according to this invention, comprises a one piece body IIJ for a rider to sit on. l This one piece body is shown made from a plurality of elements rigidly connected together. More specifically, the one piece body I0 comprises a central longitudinal board Illa, a pair of side longitudinal boards IIlb parallel to and slightly spaced from the board I Ila, a front brace we and a rear brace I 0d. The front brace IIJc has extended end portions I0 which form rests for the feet of a rider. The braces I c and Id are rigidly connected with the longitudinal boards of the body by rivets I I.

A main ski I2 is attached along the longitudinal center of `the body I0 and is adapted for running upon ice or snow. YAt one end this main ski I2 has a bent up portion I2a which is xedly attached to a front portion of the central board Illa. At an intermediate point the ski I2 is reinforced by a brace I3 which is rigidly attached between the ski element and the central board Illa.v At several additional points along the length ofthe ski I2 there are supporting braces I3 which furthermore assist in rigidly connectingthe mainski with the body I0. A longitudinal bead portion I2b is formed along the bottom face of the main ski for digging into the snow or ice when the ski is in operation to assist in holding it true toits course. Each of the brackets I3 and I3 has bent head portions I3a through which rivets or other fastening elements may engage to'attach the brackets to the body and to the Vski element.

A pair of support ski elements or members I4 are disposedalong the sides of the body III parallelto the main ski I2 and are supported on arms I5. These arms are arranged to movably support and hold the support ski elements or members I4.

Each ski I4 yis supported by the arms I5 in the following manner: At spaced positions the ski I4 has lugsv I 6 riveted thereon. A pintle II pivotally connects the lugs upon the extremities of the arms I5. The inner end portions of the arms are pivotally supported by rivets I8 to the brackets IS'. These rivets I8 are set in from the ends of the arms I5 so that there are extending portions I5a of the arms I5 which are adapted to strike against the adjacent head portions ISa from the brackets I3. Thus, the arms I5. are limited in their Vpivoting so that the outer ends may move downwards to positions in which the support ski elements I4 are in a plane sube stantially in the plane of the main ski I2.

A spring i is connected between the arms I5 of each of the brackets I 3. .These springs 20 serve to normally urge the arms I5 into positions in which the support ski elements or members iii-are moved to their lowermost positions. A handle 2i is attached to each of the support ski elements iii by which these elements may be 'fted from the ground or may be forced against the `ground as desired Each handle 2Icomprises a metallic support portion 2Ial having its ends attached to the support ski element and having an upward extended central portion to the opposite sides oi which there are attached semi-V cylindrical handle portions 2lb.

The operation of the device is as fol1ows:-

A rider sits upon the bodyfIU-andihold'shis feet upon the end portions Ill of the front brace'IIla. The rider then grips the handles 2|. The ski plane is-then permitted'lto traveldown a gradeand whemsuflicient speed: hasbeen attained for the rider to easilyV balance himself, he simultaneouslyk lifts the support skisv UIL by: pulling upon the handles ZI. Should he feel himselfv falling to oneside or the other he supports himself bypushing down the support ski at the side to. which heisfalling Another way=for theY rider to sup port himself would be to-release the support ski and permit the springs 20' to engageboth ofthem into operative position against the ground.

rEhe rider may steer the skifplane inthe following' manner: While riding with the support ski elements llliftedl he may throw the weight of hislbody towards oneside or` the vother to'cause Y the main ski i2to partlystand up ononelongitudinalY edge or.' the other and so accompli'shst'eering-'of the ski plane in a mannerver-y similar tothe actual steering of av ski;

Should the-rider desire'to steer the skii planev in-'asmaller curvehe may engage the support ski'- I4- which is upon` theinnerside of'thefcur-ve against the ground in-amannerso that` the outer edge of this support ski-v engages thefground. This is possible by merely` pivoting the` skiA III Vupon the pintlesV l1. The-handles--ZIpermit such pivoting. With the assistance ofthe side skielementa-by engaging the outer edges thereof' against the ground-ftheski plane-mayv besteeredA inav very sharpy curve.V f

While I havel shown and described thel preferred embodiment of my invention,I itis to-be understood that I- do not .limit myself-'tothe precise construction herein disclosed, andA the right is reservedtoall changes and' modifications coming within the scope of the invention' as`defned inthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as-new and desire to' secure by United; States Letters Patent is:-

i, Ina ski piane a bodyfor a rider to sit on, a main ski attached along the longitudinal center of said body for running on snow or ice and upon which a rider' may balance himself, armsk transversely ofV said body and movably mounted upon'said-bo'dy to move in planes transversely of said body, afsupport ski element onV each side of5v said Ymain Aski and mounted upon said arms andada-pted to move arcuately upwards and outwards and resilient means urging said support skisY downwards against the snow or ice.

2. Inl a ski'plane a body for a rider to siton, aV main ski attached along the longitudinal cen ter of saidfbody for running on snow or ice and upon which a riderl may balance himself, arms- Ytransversely of said body and movably mounted upon said body to move in planes transversely of said body, a support ski element on each side of said main ski and pivotally mounted upon said arms and adapted to move arcuately upwards and outwards, and resilient means urging said support skis downwards against the snow or ice, and handles on said support ski elements by which they may be manually pivoted on the ends of said. arms and. by which they. mayA be lifted upwards; outY of" contactawith' the snow ori ice.

3. In a ski plane a body for a rider to sit on, aimain ski attached aong the longitudinal center of said body for running on snow or ice and upon which a rider may balance himself, arms transversely of said body and movably mounted upon said body, a support element on each side of said main ski and mounted upon said arms and. adapted to selectively manually lifted, and resilient means urging said support skis downwards againstl the snow. or ice, said; arms being arranged in` pairs extending. inoppositedi.- rectionsfrom thecenter of the body., the inner ends of. each pair being pivotallyv mounted upon. a bracket. supported'. on the body;

4.-.Ina skilplanea body for a rider` to siton, a main ski attached along the longitudinal center. off said body for running on snow or. ice andiupon which a rider may balance himself, arms transversely of. said. body. and movably mounted upon:

said body,.a support' ski element on eachsideof said main ski and mounted upon. said arms and adapted to be selectively manually lifted, and resilientmeans urging said support skis down-- wardsagainstthesnow or ice, said arms being.

arranged in pairs extending in opposite directions'` from the center: of` the body, the inner ends of.l each pair beingpivotally mounted upon a bracket supported on the body, said brackets being also attachedto said main ski,

5. In a ski planea body for a rider to sit on, a mainski attached along the longitudinalcenter of `saidbody for. running. on snow or ice and upon which arider may balance himself, arms trans'- versely of said body and movably mounted upon: said: body-,a support ski element on each side oi said; main ski. andmountedupon said arms and adapted.. to; be selectively manually lifted, and resilient means urging said support skis downwards-against the snow. or ice, said armsbeing arrangedin; pairs. extending in opposite directions fromthe center ofthe body, the inner ends of` each pair beingY pivotally mounted upon a brackeisupported on the body, saidbracketshaving.. head elem-ents against4 which the inner endsl ofgsaidarmsmay engage toact as a stop for lim'-A iting'the downwardy pivoting. of the outer endsof said arms.

6.\In a ski plane abody for a rider to sit on, a; main skiiattachedalong the longitudinal center` of'` said body for: running. on snow or icel and upon which a rider. may bala-nce himself, armstransversely. of said bodyy and movablyr mounted upon said body, a support ski element on eachl side of said main ski and mounted uponl saidl arms and adapted VtoY be selectively. manually lifted, and resilient` means. urging said support skisdownwards against the snow or ice, said arms being arranged in pairszextending in opposite directions from'thel center of.' the body, the inner ends-of each pair being pivotally mounted upon a bracket supported on the body, said brackets havingA head' elements against which the inner ends of said arms may engage to act as a stop for limiting the-downward pivotingof. the S outer ends of said arms, and said resilient means comprising springs between the arms of each pair of arms.

7. In a ski plane a body for a rider to sit on, a main ski attached along the longitudinal center of said body for running on snow or ice and upon which a rider may balance himself, arms transversely of said body and movably mounted upon said body, a support ski element on each side of said main ski and mounted upon said arms and adapted to be selectively manually lifted, and resilient means urging said support skis downwards against the snow or ice, said arms being arranged in pairs extending in opposite directions from the center of the body, the inner ends of each pair being pivotally mounted upon a bracket supported on the body, said brackets having head elements against which the inner ends of said arms may engage to act as a stop for limiting the downward pivoting of the outer ends of said arms, said support skis being transversely pivotally mounted on said arms.

8. In a ski plane a body for a rider to sit on, a main ski attached along the longitudinal center of said body for running on snow or ice and upon which a rider may balance himself, arms transversely of lsaid body and movably mounted upon said body to move in planes transversely of said body, a support ski element on each side of said rnain ski and mounted upon said arms and adapted to move arcuately upwards and outwards, and resilient means urging said support skis downwards against the snow or ice, said support skis being pivotally mounted on said arms so that they may be manually pivoted to have their outer longitudinal edges engage the ground.

LOUIS GELBMAN. 

